Tricky fluencyhttp://www.hcn.org/issues/47.2/tricky-fluency
I’m always pleased to find articles in HCN devoted to Native American issues, which is why I was glad to read a piece covering the Navajo Nation’s plight concerning language fluency and the eligibility of presidential candidates (“A question of fluency,” 12/22/14). And while the article was quite accurate in describing the now-obvious divisions among tribal voters in the debate, it failed to complete the picture of Chris Deschene’s ordeal in his second-place finish in the primary. Yes, he objected to taking a fluency test given by his opponent’s attorney. But he also, more importantly, objected to being the only one out of a field of 17 candidates to be required to take the test. Though each of these other candidates filled out the application form, checking the same box, no one but Deschene was required to submit to the test. How many others were as fluent as he but were not disqualified? Deschene’s answers during the test were the equivalent of pleading the fifth in a court of law, whereby his answer to each question was, spoken in Navajo, “I refuse to answer, because you are trying to trick me.”

Ron PeaseAztec, New Mexico

]]>No publisherLetter to the editor2015/02/02 05:05:00 GMT-6ArticleBeyond the bright lightshttp://www.hcn.org/issues/45.20/beyond-the-bright-lights

It's hard to believe but, somehow, whenever I read about Native Americans and casinos in High Country News, I always hear only about the statistics citing the amazing financial boon created by these tributes to modern-day Babylon ("Whose Apache Homelands?" HCN, 10/14/13). Never do I hear but a passing reference to the damage inflicted on individual lives, and I have certainly not heard any studies mentioned. M. John Fayhee's story seemed to be an endorsement of an obscure splinter of the Apache tribe looking to build another casino in country that is already well saturated. While it's interesting history for sure, I would have dropped the story at the point at which the author couldn't reach the prime source except through something called "Agenda Global." Are you kidding? Does that sound like someone looking to re-establish traditional ways?

Ron PeaseAztec, New Mexico

]]>No publisherCommunitiesLetter to the editor2013/11/25 06:00:00 GMT-6ArticleWhere's the skepticism? http://www.hcn.org/issues/45.6/wheres-the-skepticism
From reading "Gambling on rez tourism," it seems HCN has become a voice for the gambling industry (3/18/13). After touting the wonderful financial benefits to be gained by building increasingly outlandish theme park-style casinos, this article spent scarcely a word on the negative impacts suffered by locals. There was one dismissive paragraph that began: "Putting aside some controversial issues …" It mentioned only at the end that those issues include "encouraging gambling addiction."

Why are these issues being put aside? I have many Navajo friends who have fallen into that vicious cycle, spending a large part of their meager income at the casino and forgoing things like paying bills, child support, etc. -- all in pursuit of that magical jackpot. These locals make up much of the clientele of rez casinos. While it's easy to count up gross receipts to argue for these casinos, I think that the disadvantage for locals will ultimately outweigh the advantages. On the other hand, I guess tourists from Germany or Japan will have fun and spend some money. They won't be digging a deeper pit of poverty like many locals. HCN does not need to work for the gambling chamber of commerce.